Recommend a garage in SE London

Hi Folks,

Been about 5 years since I last lurked on here, but I know it's a good
place to ask. I've decided to try to resurrect my 11-year-old TDM850,
and am looking for a mechanic/garage/dealer in SE London / SE7 who
won't rip me off. (ie. I know the exhaust is bent, the cables need
oiling, the speedo light is out, and I'll do that myself when I get
the chance - but for now I need someone to fix the fouling plugs and
the broken fork seal so that I can start and ride it).

Failing rec's, I was going to go to Metropolis Greenwich because, um,
they're downhill from me (it's that bad). But I'm wary of someone
going to town on all the things they could potentially fix and charge
for...

Cheers!


Damian

 

Seems quite straightforward to me, you just tell them the bits you do,
and don't, want them to do. I can't really see a dealer doing work
you's specifically asked him no to.

 

Bear recently had cause to use Metropolis in Lambeth and was very
impressed with the work done and what they charged him.



--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Tourer, CBR600F-W racebike in the making, TS250C, RD400F
(somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

No idea of Metropolis but, like Lozzo, I've heard good things of the
Lambeth shop. Your problem is getting the bike there.

Fouling plugs on a bike that's not been used for ages is gummed carbs,
almost certainly. A fork seal is an everyday job for a dealer. Can I
suggest you pull the carbs yourself and take them to a dealer for
ultrasound cleaning, or to a specialist yourself? And do the same with
the fork leg that's leaking. Removing a single fork leg isn't a tough
job, and in both cases you'll save money because if you tote the whole
bike to a dealer you'll have to pay to have the carbs and fork leg
removed and replaced anyway.

 

After my experience with the Raptor[1], if you're going to do that, I'd
suggest taking both legs & getting the oil changed at the same time.
That's the only way to ensure you get the same grade & level of oil in
both legs.

[1] One leg full of new oil, t'other full of old manky stuff. Not
necessarily a problem in itself, but the 'new' leg oil level was 70mm
higher than t'other one.

 

Yes, good point.

 

Lambeth as in Vauxhall? All I found about them when I was looking for
spannering a while back was unspeakable horror stories.

Try a search on the Londonbikers web site. They have a thumbs-up/down
recommendation section.

 

Dave Wilkins Motorcycles
R/O 59 Jasmine Grove,
Penge,
LONDON
SE20 8JY

Phone 020 8249 7940

email:

 

or

 

Correction tomy earlier post:

Bear had his bike sorted by Infinty in Clapham, not Metropolis

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Tourer, CBR600F-W racebike in the making, TS250C, RD400F
(somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

Yeah, but their clothing and accessories place is ok. Similarly, bike
spannering in Central London is a bit of a minefield. The place I used
in Catford won't touch the sort of stuff he's looking for.

Paul.

 

Ah, that'd make a lot more sense.

I tend to use Wheelpower in Raynes Park, as they're a friendly enough
bunch and I can get the bus straight there.